Lady Razorback Golf Fact Sheet #6

BY ANDRES FOCIL

2007 Central District InvitationalThe University of Arkansas golf team returns to the links after the long winter break opening the 2007 spring season at the Central District Invitational. This is Arkansas’ fourth appearance at the Central District, an event hosted by Michigan State in Parrish, Fla.A Central FieldAs the name suggests, the team’s in the field are from the Central District and this event is a change for many to get outside for the first time this season.The FieldFifteen teams are scheduled to tee it up at the Central District headlined by host Michigan State. The Spartans are ranked 19th in the Golfweek and Golfstat final fall polls and check in at No. 20 in the fall GolfWorld poll. Also scheduled to compete is Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU and Tulsa.More about the CentralArkansas has competed three times at the Central District Invitational each time at the River Wilderness Golf Resort. The Lady Razorbacks first took part in 2000-01 under then coach Ulrika Belline. The Lady Razorbacks finished 10th of 11 teams carding a 970 (315-329-326). Arkansas returned to the event in 2003-04 with head coach Kelley Hester and improved to a fifth place finish in the 15 team field shooting a 921 (307-303-311). Arkansas was back again in 2004-05 posting the program’s best finish with a second-place showing at the event. The Lady Razorbacks carded an 881 (296-293-292). The 881 team score is the second-best in program history.A new player for the Lady’BacksThe Lady Razorbacks welcome the addition of freshman transfer Kristin Ingrim to the 2006-07 roster. Ingram committed to Arkansas for the fall semester but her circumstances changed and she walked on at UNLV. Ingram’s situation again changed and she has joined Arkansas for the spring semester. She played in four fall events at UNLV with a 77.5 stroke average.Haven’t I seen you before? Yes, as a matter of fact. The Lady Razorbacks have faced eight of the 14 other teams in this week’s field and have a 7-1 record against them. The lone loss came against LSU in the first meet of the year, Arkansas has finished better than Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Northwestern, SMU, Texas A&M and Tulsa last fall.Lewy gets the job doneArkansas junior Stacy Lewis has been the Lady’Backs’ top finisher in all four fall events and tied for medalist honors at the Peg Barnard Invitational in October. Sophomore Lucy Nunn has finished second in three of four events while Alex Schulte has been third twice and fourth twice.Lewis named Golfweek Amateur of the YearJunior Stacy Lewis earned Golfweek Amateur of the Year honors it was recently announced. An annual award that dates back to 1988 when Golfweek began its national amateur rankings, Lewis becomes the first Lady Razorback to ever win the award. The Woodlands, Texas, native spent much of the 2006 summer as the top-ranked amateur in the country with several big wins under her belt. Lewis’ amateur accomplishments included a stroke-play victory at the Harder Hall Invitational in January, a runner-up finish at the Southern Amateur, the Western Amateur title and semifinal finishes at both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the North and South. Lewis’ college career has also been stellar with back-to-back all-America, all-Southeastern Conference and academic all-America honors. She was the 2005 SEC Championship medalist setting a course record at Tunica National.Best Finish of the YearArkansas finished fourth at the Mercedes Benz Collegiate Classic was the best of the year and their team score of 894 was also a then-season best. In fact, the 894 team total ranks tied for eighth all-time for lowest Lady’Back scores. Arkansas bettered that with an 886 in the very next outing at the Peg Barnard Invitational.Who’s making the trip? Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester is traveling five golfers this week. Making the trip are Stacy Lewis, Lucy Nunn, Ashley Medders, Alex Schulte and Tanica van As.About the traveling fiveStacy Lewis is the top returning Lady Razorback for the 2006-07 season. A two-time National Golf Coaches Association for Women all-American and a two-time first-team all-Southeastern Conference selection, Lewis holds nearly every individual record at Arkansas. See the list to the left of this page. Lewis finished tied for 11th at the Mason Rudolph, tied for 29th at the NCAA Preview, tied for fifth at the Mercedes and won the individual title at the Peg Barnard Invitational two weeks ago. Lucy Nunn played in five events for Arkansas last year but had the opportunity to travel to others including the NCAA Regional and National Championships. Nunn posted a career-best finish with a 13th-place showing at the Mercedes last week. Ashely Medders came on strong for Arkansas last year. Medders competed in nine events including the NCAA Regional and National Championships. She is the school record-holder for the lowest three-round tournament score with a 212 posted in a win at the 2006 Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational. Alexandrea Schulte is one of the top recruits for Arkansas this year. She enjoyed a bit of a jump start on her Lady Razorback career competing in several summer events with her future teammates. Schulte finished tied for 15th with a career-best 223 at the Mercedes. Tanica van As has competed in two events, once as an individual for Arkansas this year. She transferred into school last January is making the cut for the second time in her career.Frequent Flyer miles to the Sunshine StateArkansas should ask for frequent flyer miles to Florida. The trip to Florida for the NCAA Preview was the first of five trips to the Sunshine State. Arkansas also travels to the Hooters Match Play Championship (Orlando), the Central District Invitational (Parrish), the UCF Invitational (Grand Cypress) and the NCAA Championship (Daytona Beach).